Hotel America, Granada, Spain - Perfect for your tour of The Alhambra & Generalife

What could be a more perfect combination than a unique opportunity to stay within a famous attraction combined with great room prices in Spain?

For families vacations or a romantic retreat, the 17-room Hotel America could be the answer. Located within the walls of The Alhambra, a 14th century palace and fortress, is this surprising hotel and restaurant.

This 19th century hotel started out as a house but is now a hotel composed of two buildings with a quiet garden courtyard in between. All of the rooms have a private bath or shower, telephone, central heating and air conditioning. Some of the rooms look out onto the courtyard and some with beautiful views of the Alhambra gardens.

Secluded Courtyard Perfect for a Romantic Meal

With seasonal specials and room rates between 50-150 Euros a night, it could be a great place for either a romantic getaway or a family stay. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend all day exploring this famous landmark knowing you had rooms waiting within the walls? Since this is one of Spain’s most visited attractions, if you need help they will get your tickets to the Alhambra for a small fee.

This hotel is filled with modern amenities like free wi-fi but retains lots of genuine warmth and cozy rooms filled with antiques.  With its amazing location you can choose between eating at their restaurant, with its romantic courtyard, choose from nearby restaurants like La Mimbre or venture further into town via the bus.

Antique filled rooms at Hotel America in Granada, Spain

We loved our visit to the Alhambra and its Generalife gardens.  The three hours we spent was not nearly enough and I can see why people return to this beautiful place over and over again.  When we do, staying at the Hotel America is definitely going to be part of our plan.

Hotel America

Real de la Alhambra, 53
Alhambra – 18009 – Granada
Andalucia – Spain
Tel: + 958 22 74 71

Photos by Sharon Castellanos

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La Mimbre Restaurante, Granada, Spain – Dining at the Alhambra

Cynics may call Valentine’s Day a “Hallmark Holiday” (see: my husband), but many couples take advantage of incredible getaway vacation deals offered by Florida hotels for a romantic getaway weekend. It just so happens that this year, the big V-day falls on a Sunday (that’s February 14, 2010, just in case you forgot), so a romantic weekend away is the perfect way to celebrate your love and commitment.

Bungalow at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa

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Rialto Bridge, Venice, Italy

You’ve come to the right place on the web, but are you sure you’ve got the right Venice? In addition to the original Venezia in Italy, there’s at least five other  places named Venice in the United States.

Let’s keep this as simple as can be, so here’s a listing of the most romantic hotels in Venice – all six of them.

Hotel Antico Doge, Venice, Italy – Facing Campo SS.Apostoli, reflected in the waters of a romantic canal, Hotel Antico Doge offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in layers of silk, brocades, damasks and gilt mirrors that bring to life the golden age of Serenissima.

Inn at the Beach, Venice, Florida – In their own words, the Inn at the Beach is “Close to Everything, Away from it all…” This 49 room beachside retreat offers a relaxed, tropical lifestyle, with continental breakfast served in the lobby and a chance to step out of the lobby and onto the beach, where you can enjoy the sunsets and collect sharks teeth.

Venice Beach House, Venice, CA

The Venice Beach House, Venice, Los Angeles, CA – 99 years old and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Venice Beach House is spacious, charming and elegant, and manages to balance privacy with beach-front access and proximity to famed tourist attractions like the Santa Monica Pier.

Lighthouse Lodge, Venice, Louisiana – Completely rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina, the family-owned Lighthouse Lodge offers 62 beautiful guest rooms, and a nice smalltown bayou buzz where the party kicks off with fishing tournaments and cook-offs, and plenty of historical sights to visit. 

Venice, Illinois – This Venice lies on the other side of the Mississippi from St. Louis. The best choice for a romantic hotel here is the Millenium Hotel St. Louis, a 10 min. drive across the 100 year old McKinley Bridge into Missouri.

Venice, New York – Small town located in Cayuga County, New York. The nearest and most romantic hotel is the Springside Inn in Auburn. The Springside Inn is a family owned business located on the North end of beautiful Owasco Lake. They even offer ‘weekend fling’ and ‘one night getaway’ packages.

Rialto photo by Zehawk; Venice Beach photo by Warren Wilson Beach House

The recently released Meryl Streep & Alec Baldwin starrer It’s Complicated devoted plenty of footage to the oceanfront Pacific beauty and the red tile roofs of Santa Barbara. 

It's Complicated

To make the most of it while ‘it’ is still complicating viewers, the Santa Barbara Visitors Bureau has a list of hotel packages to give you a taste of Jane’s (Meryl Streep) enviable Santa Barbara lifestyle, and underscore the point that Santa Barbara hotels offer a great refuge for romantic getaways.

Bath Street Inn: Package name - “It’s Complicated Made Simple at the Bath Street Inn.” A glass of good wine and chocolate amid natural beauty can untangle most complications.

In addition to the bubbly and hand-crafted croissants, they’re also offering free tips for experiencing Santa Barbara like a local. Mention the It’s Complicated Special while booking.

Fess Parker’s Doubletree Resort: Package name – “It’s Complicated – Room with Benefits.” Includes luxe accommodations in spacious guestrooms and a delicious breakfast buffet for 2 each morning in Café Los Arcos. Use promo code ITS.

Hotel Corque: Package name – “When It’s Complicated…ESCAPE to wine country!!” Includes one night stay, $120 food credit for Root 246, a restaurant by Bradley Ogden, and $50 free play at the Chumash Casino. Sign up for the special offers, or call 800.624.5572.

The Uphan Hotel & Country House, Santa Barbara

The Upham Hotel: Package name – “It’s Complicated, Unwind at the Upham.” A plate of fresh baked cookies along with a bottle of local wine welcome you. Enjoy the sights and wine country trails in Santa Barbara, and come back to a wine and cheese reception. Here’s a list of their specials.

There’s plenty more It’s Complicated specials, including by Hotel Oceana, Hotel Santa Barbara, Inn of the Spanish Garden, Old Yacht Club Inn, and Secret Garden Inn & Cottages. More details from the Santa Barbara CVB.

In case you’re wondering about any hotels featured in the film, you’ll have to go all the way over to the East Coast. The lobby and Jane’s room at the fictional Park Regent Hotel in New York shown in the film were actually filmed in Jumeirah Essex House on Central Park South.

Photo courtesy The Upham Hotel